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NTSB Report
September 19, 1985 · Schleicher ASW-20 · N39DG
New Castle, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
New Castle, VA
Aircraft
Schleicher ASW-20
Tail Number
N39DG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA078
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF LIFT, HE FLEW OVER THE OPEN FIELD, OBSERVED ELECTRICAL WIRES, AND CONTINUED TO FLY PARALLEL WITH THE WIRES. AS HE TURNED WESTWARD TO LAND IN THE FIELD, THE PLT LOST SIGHT OF THE POWER LINES IN THE SUNSET. NEXT, THE PLT OBSERVED THE WIRES CONTACTING THE ACFT, ALTHOUGH A STATE TROOPER COULD NOT FIND EVIDENCE OF THE WIRES COLLIDING WITH ANY OF THE GLIDER'S WING SURFACES. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER THEN STRUCK TWO FENCE POSTS AND THE ACFT GROUND-LOOPED BEFORE COMING TO REST.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF LIFT, HE FLEW OVER THE OPEN FIELD, OBSERVED ELECTRICAL WIRES, AND CONTINUED TO FLY PARALLEL WITH THE WIRES. AS HE TURNED WESTWARD TO LAND IN THE FIELD, THE PLT LOST SIGHT OF THE POWER LINES IN THE SUNSET. NEXT, THE PLT OBSERVED THE WIRES CONTACTING THE ACFT, ALTHOUGH A STATE TROOPER COULD NOT FIND EVIDENCE OF THE WIRES COLLIDING WITH ANY OF THE GLIDER'S WING SURFACES. THE LEFT WING OF THE GLIDER THEN STRUCK TWO FENCE POSTS AND THE ACFT GROUND-LOOPED BEFORE COMING TO REST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Castle Int'L (10nm W)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchleicher ASW-20
Tail NumberN39DG
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 3 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC